How to Reheat Bread Without Making it Hard

I love hard bread! (Said no one ever.) If your reheating escapades have left you with a rock-hard catastrophe, you need to learn how to reheat bread without making it hard. It’s not “hard” (ha-ha). You can be successful using the right techniques in the microwave, oven, or stove. 

Hey there, bread lovers! Michelle here. I love bread and eat it (at least) once a day. What can I say? I love carbs, and I’m not afraid to show it. That said, I have had to figure out the best way to reheat bread without making it hard because, like much of the world, I hate hard bread. 

Are you tired of dealing with rock-hard bread? Has rock-hard bread ruined your enjoyment of reheating bread the next day? Don’t panic – instead, use one of these crafty methods for reheating bread without making it hard in this article. (Could be, and should be, a commercial!)

Let’s talk about reheating our favorite slices, y’all!

How to Reheat Bread Without Making it Hard

Trying to sink your teeth into bread that has been reheated isn’t always the easiest (or enjoyable) situation. Reheated bread tends to become rock-hard and almost impossible to eat. Luckily, there are some ways to avoid this nightmare and indulge.

Use Water

My absolute biggest tip for reheating bread without making it hard is to use water. Water is going to be your BFF when it comes to reheating. Whether you opt for the oven, microwave, or stove, you need to use water

How so? Well, the best way to add water is to sprinkle the entire piece, slice, loaf, etc., with some water before reheating. You can also place a bowl of water in the heating device to dissipate and evaporate onto the bread while reheating. 

As you may assume, moisture is key to avoiding dried-out tough messes. 

Cook at Low Temperatures

When you cook something at high temperatures, you’re looking for crisp and crunchy (most of the time). That said, it’s better to focus on cooking at low temperatures when it comes to reheating bread without making it hard.

“Low and slow” is the goal. A baking temperature of around 300F to 315F is the best option for all types of bread. Use medium heat if reheating on the stove and opt for the lowest setting on your microwave.

Wrap Soft Bread

Another great recommendation is to wrap soft bread (not crusty bread) in aluminum foil before baking in the oven. This will ensure moisture is trapped inside the aluminum foil with less chance of soft bread turning crispy and hard. 

When using the microwave, you may also wrap the bread in a damp paper towel. Again, this is just another way to use water and wrapping to retain moisture. This is especially important when reheating softer bread types.

Don’t Overbake

One of the biggest pitfalls of reheating bread is baking it too long! You’re not cooking a holiday roast; you’re reheating bread. With that in mind, you don’t need to overdo it. Most bread can be reheated in the oven in as little as five to ten minutes. 

When using the stove, the reheating time is even less. A few minutes on a medium-high stove and your bread should be good to go. You might consider placing the lid on top to keep moisture inside. Reheating the bread in the Microwave is faster – it can be as little as 10 to 15 seconds.

The best thing to do is to keep an eye on your bread, whether you’re reheating in the oven, microwave, stove, or even the air fryer (although bread will likely crisp up in the air fryer, but not get undesirably hard).

FAQs

Now you know how to be successful in your reheating attempts. But if you’re still left with questions, don’t worry – I’ve got you covered. Below are some commonly asked questions about how to reheat bread without making it hard.

How do you reheat bread in the microwave without it getting hard?

It’s best to use a microwave on the lowest setting possible. Then, wrap the bread in a damp towel. Place a bowl of water in with the bread while it cooks. Heat the bread for around 10 seconds. Flip it over and cook for ten more seconds. Don’t overdo it!

How do you make bread soft again?

There are a few different ways to make bread soft again, and almost every method involves reheating! You can wrap in a damp towel for the microwave, wrap in aluminum foil for the oven, or spritz it with water before reheating anyway. You can also place it in a brown paper bag with celery!

How do you reheat bread in the oven?

The oven should be preheated to a low temp around 300F to 315F. Spritz the bread with water. Wrap soft bread in aluminum foil. Bake for around five minutes, but keep an eye on the bread, as some may need 10 to 15 minutes.

How do you revive day-old bread?

I’m not even kidding – it’s the same process. Water, wrap, and bake; that’s all it takes. However, I recommend you try to prevent stale bread by storing it properly. For example, a bread box or brown paper bag on the counter is ideal.

Final Words

Bread tends to get hard when it’s reheated, but not anymore. By simply using water and a good wrap, you can bring your bread back to life without worrying about an undesirably hard texture.

How do you reheat your bread without making it hard? Share in the comment section below!

About Michelle
I have been a lover of sweets since day one. This led me on a self-taught baking journey starting at the age of 13. It's been over 10 years since the start of my baking adventures, and I’ve learned a lot along the way. Now, people rave about my delectable treats, whether it’s a chocolate cake or a strawberry crepe.

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